Johnny Kenny says Celtic players must adapt to new boss Wilfried Nancy
By Gavin McCafferty, Press Association
Celtic striker Johnny Kenny stressed it was up to the players to study and implement their new manager’s methods as he backed Wilfried Nancy.
Celtic have lost all three matches under the Frenchman and face Dundee United at Tannadice on Wednesday, looking to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in almost half a century.
But Kenny is optimistic they will get to grips with the manager’s system, which has seen Celtic switch to a back three with wing-backs and a box midfield.
The Republic of Ireland international said: “He’s made changes and we just need to adapt and implement the changes on the pitch, and ultimately get results.
“Every manager has different systems. You just need to get down and try and study and learn their system.
“I’ve really enjoyed it since the new manager has come in. Obviously the results are not what we wanted, but I can see it progressing over the next few weeks and getting the results we need.
“We haven’t had much time on the training pitch, since the manager came in we have played every three days, but I think we really are getting there and hopefully we can put it right.
“I don’t think any player in there has turned their back on the manager. We are professionals, we’re here to do a job and all get behind everyone in this building and we’re all fully in it.”
Kenny has a good chance of featuring at Tannadice and in the coming weeks, after Kelechi Iheanacho was ruled out for an unspecified period of time.
The 22-year-old came off the bench during Sunday’s 3-1 defeat by St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final after Iheanacho pulled up with a hamstring injury.
The former Sevilla and Leicester forward was making his first start since suffering a similar injury in October.
Kenny netted four goals in the first five games after that injury and he aims to step up to the mark again.
“I don’t like seeing any of my team-mates get injured as it’s a team game,” the former Sligo and Shamrock Rovers player said.
“But hopefully it brings another opportunity for me to get a run in the side and hopefully perform and get us back winning games.
“I think I proved the last time once I got in I could score a few goals and obviously came out then. But if I get back in, I hope to do the same.”
